War Diaries (September 7) (nonfiction)
War Diary quotations for September 7
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Quotations
Bill Rice: September 7, 1916
Dear Mother and Father:
Our work is sad, not so much because of the horrible wounds—they are already dressed before the men are brought to this post—as because of the deadening of life by constant contact with destruction and terrific physical shocks. The men are deadened, stupified. No one gesticulates; I used to think a Frenchman could not talk without using his hands. But the infantry is worn to the point where all joy has left life for the moment. Naturally the wounded, if not in great pain, are happy by comparison. They are going to be quite away from the war for a few days at least. The prisoners of course are in a similar situation. Many of them are working even right behind the front, harvesting, etc. But they are much relieved to be free of the strain of trench life or even shell-hole life, for such it is in this fierce vicinity. I rejoice more at the taking of prisoners than anything else; it is happiness for all and it saves a little of the youth of Europe. Everyone thinks more of the loss of life than of anything else.
- Bill Rice’s Letter Home From Verdun - American volunteer ambulance driver, American Ambulance Field Service, later continued service
